BELTLOADERS
Electric-powered beltloaders are most
definitely a product that is endorsed
by the manufacturer: electric units, he
relates, continue to comprise 15-20% of
Power Stow’s total orders. To round off
the subject, Reeves is looking forward to
an equally successful 2019.
Larry Laney, Director of Ground
Support at Southwest Airlines, currently
owns 132 Power Stow units, which can
be seen as a measure of the carrier’s
confidence in this application.
“We started the process sometime in
2014, by leasing two units for our internal
proof of concept process,” he recalls.
“During the process, we confirmed that
the return on investment would work in
our type of operation and would bring us
value. We also confirmed the reliability
and durability in our operation, which
will keep our total cost of ownership
low; additionally, after-sales support
and service by the Power Stow team has
been outstanding. Looking ahead, we
could standardise our fleet by installing
the Power Stow on a Textron Tug 660
beltloader chassis.
“We have only asked for one
modification to the GSE. This was for
Power Stow to provide their own fold-up
guardrail on the right side of the conveyor
that would fill the gap at the front of
the rail to the fuselage, rather than use
the ones provided by the beltloader
manufacturer.”
Longer term, Laney is enthusiastic.
“In both 2017 and 2018 we purchased 45
Power Stows and we plan to add another
45 in 2019. Beyond 2019, who knows? I am
sure it will depend on the financial health
of the industry.”
UK-headquartered Mallaghan also sells
its Bendi-Belt product in the US.
Over the last year the company reports
that it has sold multiple units to a
number of American airlines, including
JetBlue and United. The manufacturer
is expecting further sales to develop,
since the new Mallaghan manufacturing
facility located in the US is now in full
production.
As an update for this editorial, a
company spokesperson reveals that
further machinery developments this
coming year will include the introduction
of an electric version of the beltloader.
Electric gaining traction
It would therefore be logical to state
that in terms of the US market, electric
power is certainly gaining plenty of
adherents. This enthusiasm for a
green operation has doubtlessly been
prompted by the increasing demands
placed on conforming to diesel engine
specifications.
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